Graphical IPC Interface for Parallel Process Design Without Coding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing graphical software creation tools do not enable users to create the full range of applications that could be created using purely textual programming languages, forcing users to choose between investing in textual programming for power or using graphical tools with limited capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A computer system provides a user-friendly graphical user interface that allows users to define and implement inter-process communications without writing code, enabling parallel execution of processes and data exchange between them.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users employ graphical software creation tools, then ease of use is improved, but application capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the software creation process into distinct visual components (process shapes, data shapes, communication arrows) that can be independently configured and combined. This allows complex applications to be built from modular visual elements without requiring programming knowledge, resolving the contradiction between ease of use and application capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a visual/spatial dimension to software design by representing processes, data, and communications as graphical objects in a canvas environment. This dimensional transformation enables users to design sophisticated applications through spatial arrangement and visual connections rather than textual coding, expanding application capability while maintaining ease of use.
2Adaptability or versatility
If users invest time in learning textual programming, then application power is improved, but time investment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a visual programming intermediary layer that translates high-level visual designs into executable code automatically. This intermediary environment enables users to create powerful applications through visual metaphors and drag-and-drop operations, eliminating the need for time-consuming programming language learning while maintaining application power.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs code generation and compilation automatically based on visual user actions. The environment self-services by translating visual process definitions into executable code without requiring user intervention for coding tasks, thereby delivering powerful applications without the time investment traditionally required for programming.
3Ease of operation
If graphical tools are used for software creation, then ease of operation is improved, but process complexity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universal visual components that can represent multiple types of processes and data structures through a common shape system. Process shapes can represent various computational operations, data shapes can represent different data structures, and communication arrows can represent various interaction patterns. This universality enables complex processes to be expressed through simple, consistent visual elements, maintaining ease of operation while supporting process complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer system provides a software application which enables users to define and implement communications among processes without writing code in a programming or scripting language. Instead, users may define and implement such inter-process communications using a user-friendly graphical user interface. The resulting inter-process communications may be executed among multiple processes executing in parallel with each other. Processes may provide data to each other sequentially or non-sequentially. In this way, the system enables users who are not programmers to define and implement inter-process communications quickly and easily.